Gathering In The Trenches.
"Your coat is your calling card" — Bill Cunningham
When I was 22 and lived in Paris in the 90s, the women around me were, of course, incredibly stylish. And had their own uniform. As I hopped the Saint-Paul Metro in the Marais, headed to my office, I noticed that the women around me on these weekday mornings (my age and older) all wore a trench coat, over their equally chic work looks.
On the weekends, they wore the same coat. Now paired with the perfect jean, scarf, and shoe; ballet flat, block heel, flat loafer, or boot.
Pulled off with aplomb, the trench coat reflects that quality of inner refinement, which derives through discernment, which emanates out of introspection. In this exercise, you cannot just copycat your best friend. Pulling it off requires self-knowledge.
So the Intrepid and Smart Could Fight Fascists:
A brief history of the Trench Coat per British Vogue: The brands Burberry and Aquascutum are both credited with creating the trench coat, which was worn by British soldiers in World War I.
During, and after the war, foreign soldiers and civilians, began wearing the trench coat — for its patriotic associations; “intrepid men”, and “smart women”.
The trench coat also appears in iconic film moments — Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, for example. As Rick Blaine, pillar of the Nazi resistance.
The Trench Coat Today
I have three in my own arsenal, to include the dramatic piece below by Paris-based designer Lutz Huelle. If I were in the market for another one, I might consider this coat by Marc Jacobs. Or in vintage world, perhaps this Prada piece. (FYI, items bought on re-sale sites usually cannot be returned if they don’t fit).
Your Coat Is Your Calling Card
I propose we channel the trench coat’s “intrepid and smart” qualities for our own purposes. As we stand up for U.S. Democracy, against our own, modern- now homegrown- fascists.
We can each put our own stamp on the trench coat, as we: run for local or larger office; volunteer for a state or national (Democratic Party) campaign; show up to tutor under-resourced students; volunteer at a food bank, or shelter. Or take a moment, to stop, and give money and a meal— to a homeless person/immigrant family sitting on a street corner.
We must each act as the individual antidote to the evil unleashed, ongoing, by so many around us. To include, of course, the 77 million Americans who, 15 months ago, voted for this Republican regime. These voters embody the absolute worst of us, and are the antithesis of “intrepid and smart”.
The rest of us — in stark contrast — must daily reflect the very best of our American ideals. Through an unshakeable commitment to kindness, generosity of the soul, and celebration of human decency.
Win we will. Through the power of style. So suit up, show up — and be the change we desperately, right now, need.
Some “Calling Card” Favorites:
Thoughts on Next Steps:
How about volunteering behind Governor Kathy Hochul, and donating to her campaign too, as she fights hard- every day-to keep ICE out of New York?
I just joined Governor Hochul’s re-election campaign as a volunteer, and you can too. The campaign’s Volunteer Membership form is here.
Also, how about volunteering and/or donating to Dr. Annie Andrews’ Senate Campaign, as she takes on Senator Lindsey Graham in the mid-term elections?
A pediatrician, Dr. Annie Andrews is running in the critical state of South Carolina — which, thanks to this Republican regime, is now (among other things) a measles outbreak hot spot. Please click here to donate, and learn more, about Dr. Annie Andrews, and her campaign.
There’s just nothing better than a perfect coat! I was thinking about a trenches yesterday, and this has propelled me on to look for a good version for myself.